Prokaryotic Cells and Bacteria Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions regarding the structure, function, and diversity of prokaryotic cells and bacteria based on the lecture notes.

Prokaryotic cells

The first cells to appear on the planet, approximately $3.800$ million years ago, which are found only forming unicellular organisms.

Kingdom Moneras

The biological kingdom that includes unicellular organisms such as bacteria and blue-green algae.

Pathogenic bacteria

Bacteria that cause diseases, with specific examples including those responsible for meningitis, otitis, and pneumonia.

Escherichia coli

A bacterium present in the human intestinal flora.

Cell wall (Pared celular)

A hard structure outside the cell membrane that provides protection, maintains shape, and contains pores for substance exchange.

Plasma membrane (Membrana plasmática)

A barrier that controls the transit of substances, including nutrients and cellular waste, between the cytoplasm and the external environment.

Cytoplasm (Citoplasma)

In prokaryotic cells, this area contains no internal membranes; the DNA is coiled and floats freely here along with ribosomes.

Ribosomes

Structures found in the cytoplasm that are involved in the production of proteins.

Flagellum (Flagelo)

A structure present mostly in bacteria from aquatic environments that favors their displacement or movement.

Binary fission (Fisión binaria)

Also known as cellular bipartition, it is the rapid reproduction process where a bacterium duplicates its components and divides into two identical daughter cells.

Reproduction rate

The interval at which a bacterium typically produces two daughter cells, which is approximately every $20$ minutes.

Nitrogen fixation

A process carried out by certain soil bacteria that favors plant growth by capturing nitrogen from the air.

Bacterial size

Bacteria are approximately $10$ times smaller than a medium-sized eukaryotic cell.

Blue-green algae

Unicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Moneras, alongside bacteria.